Flexible solar manufacturer Power Roll and scientists from the University of Sheffield have published a new article in which the potential of thin film solar cells is emphasized with the help of perovskins.
De Paper, published in the magazine ACS applied energy materials, Details The manufacturing techniques of Power Roll’s Patented Dunne Film Solar Technology, where 1.5 urns are grooves in relief in plastic film and the need for rare earth metals is eliminated.
The researchers used a new type of X -ray microscopy, developed at Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire, to make extremely detailed images of the solar cells, while also helping to point to hidden problems such as empty spaces, defects in the material and problems with the Limits between small crystals within the semiconductor material to find ways to improve them.
According to Power Roll, this is the first time that this type of analysis has been performed on this type of solar cell. Further imaging was also carried out at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), where tests also evaluated the special performance of the cells.
The paper notes that the cells can yield a stabilized efficiency of a maximum of 12.8%, although it notes that further research and production improvements can stimulate this. The article concludes: “We believe that this demonstration of flexible back-contact perovskiet solar cell modules made by fully scalable processes that only contain cheap earth-stressed materials, a very promising step for the commercialization of this technology.”
Dr. Nathan Hill, senior scientist at Power Roll who led the newspaper, said: “This partnership shows the potential to combine advanced research with industrial innovation to provide transformative solutions in renewable energy. We promote technology that could play an important role in achieving global net-zero goals, and by combining our collective research and academic possibilities, we can further prove science behind the technology of Power Roll. “
Professor David Lidzey, from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Sheffield and co-author of the article, said: “Solar energy is a strategic priority for our research, and one of our most important competencies is the development of innovative Techniques for manufacturing and depositing solutions processable solar cells.
“We have been working with Power Roll for more than ten years and combine our expertise in material science and advanced imaging techniques with their focus on production. Together we have gained a deep insight into how their solar cells work, which identifies important improvement areas. “
An interview with Power Roll CEO Neil Spann is available to read here.
